President Trump stands poised to activate the Insurrection Act, a move that could see federal troops deployed to the beleaguered streets of Los Angeles.
The unrest in Los Angeles regarding ICE deportations has escalated, drawing a sharp response from state officials as President Trump pushes his immigration agenda—an agenda that includes the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops, with more on standby, into this sanctuary city.
Many individuals have already been apprehended for their roles in the riots, which have primarily erupted within a few blocks of downtown Los Angeles.
With Governor Gavin Newsom and local leaders opposing the federal government’s immigration enforcement, a tense confrontation looms over the jurisdictional boundaries between state and federal powers.
Protests and Riots
The catalyst for the protests was Friday’s ICE arrests of numerous undocumented immigrants in the city long known for its sanctuary policies.
This crackdown is part of Trump’s broader initiative against illegal immigration across the nation.
By Saturday, protests escalated, forcing police to deploy tear gas and flashbangs to disperse crowds that had been labeled as unlawful gatherings. On the same day, Trump ordered National Guardsmen to the city.
Protesters waving Mexican flags became a common sight amidst the turmoil, with reports of looting emerging from the Compton area.
As Sunday unfolded, the third day of protests saw National Guardsmen clashing with demonstrators, resulting in tear gas being deployed near a federal complex in the city, as captured on social media.
The confrontation occurred outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, where demonstrators hurled insults at Guardsmen who formed barricades with plastic shields.
As night fell over Los Angeles, riots continued unabated. At least four Waymo self-driving cars were set ablaze, and flashbangs rattled through the evening air.
National Guard and Marine Deployment
Frustrated with Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Trump indicated on Saturday that National Guardsmen would be mobilized if state officials failed to act decisively.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted, “If [Newsom] and Mayor Karen Bass can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
He announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles, marking a historical moment as it is the first instance of a president activating state guardsmen without a request from the governor since 1965.
California’s National Guard was seen mobilizing near the federal complex in downtown, which includes the Metropolitan Detention Center, a flashpoint for the protests over the past two days.
Members from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were seen equipped with long firearms and armored vehicles, readying for potential confrontations.
On Sunday, NORTHCOM announced that Marines were on standby to assist if needed to protect federal assets.
In addition to approximately 300 additional National Guardsmen, NORTHCOM stated that around 500 Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines stationed at Twentynine Palms, California, were prepared for deployment to bolster the Department of Defense’s efforts to safeguard federal properties and personnel.
Trump discussed the criteria for deploying Marines, emphasizing that it hinges on perceived threats to national security and public order.
Local Leaders Push Back
On June 8, Governor Newsom formally requested the withdrawal of National Guardsmen, arguing that their deployment was an unlawful overreach.
“I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County and return them to my command,” Newsom stated. “We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty—heightening tensions while diverting resources from where they are genuinely needed.”
Mayor Bass echoed this sentiment, labeling the deployment a “chaotic escalation.” During a CNN appearance, she asserted that the Los Angeles Police Department was capable of managing the situation without federal intervention.
Trump later warned that California officials obstructing deportation efforts could face federal charges, stating, “If people stand in the way of law and order, yeah, they will face charges.”
The Department of Homeland Security defended its operations, highlighting the arrest of a 55-year-old undocumented immigrant from the Philippines with a history of violent crimes.
The Insurrection Act
As the situation intensifies and the lines are drawn, the looming question remains: will Trump invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to quell the unrest?
The Posse Comitatus Act restricts the use of active-duty military for domestic law enforcement, but the Insurrection Act allows for exceptions, such as suppressing insurrections and enforcing federal authority when state officials fail to act.
NORTHCOM clarified that no final decision has been made regarding the application of the Insurrection Act in response to the ongoing riots.
When asked about activating the legislation to restore order in Los Angeles, Trump responded, “It depends on whether or not there’s an insurrection.”
In a June 9 Truth Social post, he hinted that a decision might be forthcoming, stating, “Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!”
This wouldn’t be without historical precedent; the last activation of the Insurrection Act occurred in 1992 when President George H.W. Bush sent troops to Los Angeles to restore order following the riots triggered by the Rodney King verdict.
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